Celestial Sample gives a simple representation of the 4 closest stars with planet(s) within their habitable zone. It also displays the 80 closest stars around our own sun. This simplified and yet precise celestial map is only describing the stars in a 6 parsec radius around the sun. In comparison, the Milky Way measures more than 30,000 parsecs which stand for less than 0.000015% of the observable universe. Enjoy!

Celestial Map Values and Construction

This celestial map is a three-dimensional map based on the Galactic Coordinate System with the Sun as its center. Each star is displayed regarding its own Galactic Longitude, Latitude and Distance from the Sun.

Galactic Longitude (G.Long) measures the angular distance eastward along the galactic equator from the galactic center, measured here in degrees.

Galactic Latitude (G.Lat) measures the angular distance perpendicular to a plane parallel to the galactic equator, positive to the north, negative to the south, measured here in degrees.

The distance from the Sun is measured in Parsecs (pc), which stands for 3.26 light years. At the current speed of the fastest man-made object travelling in space (Voyager 1), it would take approximately 50,000 years to travel one parsec.

Red and Yellow Dwarf Stars

A dwarf star is a star of relatively small size and low luminosity. Most main sequence stars are dwarf stars. Red dwarfs are considered today as the most common type of star but offer really low luminosity — the majority are so dim they cannot be seen by the naked eye. Yellow dwarfs, like our own sun, possess enough magnitude to be observed.

Stars with Planet(s) in the Habitable Zone

The circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ) is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure, possibly sustaining conditions for life to develop. These four systems among the 80 closest stars are today the only ones providing one or several planets within the habitable zone. Travelling to those 4 stars would take between 60,000 years for the closest and 350,000 years for the farthest.

Eighty Closest Stars

These are the 80 closest stars to our sun within a 6 parsec range. The majority are red dwarf main sequence stars. Travelling to the closest would take approximately 40,000 years, the farthest about 300,000 years.